Line of sight mounting system for digital media players

ABSTRACT

The inventions disclosed herein include devices and methods that allow users to couple a digital media player to a display screen. Some embodiments position the digital media player along a bottomside of the screen. Some embodiments position the digital media player along a topside of the screen. In several embodiments, the digital media player is positioned approximately horizontally such that the digital media player is oriented approximately parallel to the floor of the room.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/278,759, filed onOct. 21, 2011 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/332,373, filed onDec. 21, 2011, are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Users often place digital media players near a television. Televisionowners desire a convenient means to couple digital media players.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a method for coupling adigital media player to a screen with a backside, a screenside, abottomside, and a topside. The method includes obtaining a mountingdevice with a base portion and at least two outside walls. The baseportion and the at least two outside walls are configured to hold thedigital media player. The mounting device further includes an arm thatis configured to couple the mounting device to the screen. The methodalso includes configuring the arm so it protrudes away from the baseportion in a vertical direction. The method also includes positioningthe digital media player along the bottomside of the screen such thatthe digital media player is oriented approximately horizontally whilethe mounting device is holding the digital media player. The method mayalso include coupling the arm to the backside of the screen such the armis positioned above the digital media player.

In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a method for coupling adigital media player to a screen with a backside, a screenside, abottomside, and a topside. The method includes obtaining a mountingdevice with a base portion and at least two outside walls. The baseportion and the at least two outside walls are configured to hold thedigital media player. The mounting device further includes an arm thatis configured to couple the mounting device to the screen, and anadhesive pad that is configured to couple to the arm and configured tocouple the mounting device to the screen. The method includes rotatingthe arm relative to the base portion such that the arm protrudes awayfrom the base portion. The method also includes sliding the arm relativeto the base portion such that the arm moves relative to the baseportion. The method also includes positioning the mounting device alongthe bottomside or along the topside of the screen. The method alsoincludes configuring the arm such that the adhesive pad laysapproximately flat against a portion of the backside of the screen. Themethod may also include adhering the adhesive pad to the backside of thescreen.

In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a method for coupling adigital media player to a screen with a backside, a screenside, abottomside, and a topside. The method includes obtaining a mountingdevice in a collapsed configuration. The mounting device includes a baseportion and at least two outside walls. The base portion and the atleast two outside walls are configured to hold the digital media player.The mounting device further includes an arm that is configured to couplethe mounting device to the screen. The method also includes uncollapsingthe mounting device by rotating the arm relative to the base portion,sliding the arm towards a middle of the base portion, and extending thearm such that an overall length of the arm becomes longer.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a digital media player.

FIG. 2A illustrates a backside of a screen.

FIG. 2B illustrates a frontside of the screen.

FIG. 3 illustrates a mounting device.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate various embodiments of mounting device coupledwith digital media player.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate various views of a top member.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate various views of a top slide member.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate different views of a side member.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate two different configurations for couplingmounting device and digital media player to screen.

FIGS. 9A-9J illustrate various horizontal, vertical, and pivotalpositions of mounting device with respect to the screen.

FIG. 10 is a flow-chart showing a method of coupling mounting device tothe screen.

FIG. 11 is a flow-chart showing a method of coupling mounting device toa backside of the screen.

FIG. 12 is a flow-chart showing a method of coupling mounting device toa bottomside or a topside of the screen.

FIG. 13 is a flow-chart showing a method of uncollapsing the mountingdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drawings show specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed, by way of example or illustration and not by way oflimitation. These embodiments are described in enough detail throughtext and drawing figures to enable those skilled in the art to practicethe claimed invention. The embodiments may be combined, otherembodiments or embodiments may be utilized, or structural, logical andmechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope andspirit of the claimed invention. The following description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The description belowillustrates implementations of the invention and does not limit theinvention.

Owners of digital media players often prefer to couple their digitalmedia player near their screens. For example, a person who owns a flatscreen television that is coupled to the wall might want to couple thedigital media player onto the flat screen television or onto the wallbehind the flat screen television.

FIG. 1 illustrates digital media player 2 including cables 4. Digitalmedia players include Digital Video Disc (DVD) players, Blu-ray players,and digital media extenders such as an Apple TV, Roku, Boxee TV, NetgearNeoTV, D-Link Boxee Box, Logitech Revue, WD-TV Live, any Sony SMP-seriesdevices, Seagate GoFlex TV, LG SmartTV Upgrader, Sony Bravia InternetVideo Link, or any other digital media extender. Digital media playersalso include video game consoles such as Ouya, Wii U, Wii, GameStick,Shield Project, Steam Box, Atari Flashback 2, Atari Flashback 3, AtariFlashback 4, EVO Smart Console, Retro Duo, Game Wave, Mattel HyperScan,OnLive, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 3 Slim, PlayStation 3 Super Slim,Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Slim, Zeebo, Zone, Sega Zone, or any other video gameconsole.

Cables 4 are electrically connected to digital media player 2. In oneembodiment, digital signals are transmitted through cables 4. Thedigital signals may be sent or received by digital media player 2.Cables 4 may include a cable such as a High-Definition MultimediaInterface (HDMI) cable. In the same or in a different embodiment,digital media player 2 also receives power through cables 4. As such,cables 4 may also include any cable that is capable of powertransmission.

In some embodiments, cables 4 include only one cable. In this embodimentthe one cable is capable of transmitting digital signals and/or power.In this manner, the digital signals or power may be transmittedwirelessly, while the other is transmitted through the one cable. Insome embodiments, neither the digital signals nor power is transmittedwirelessly. In this manner, the one cable transmits both the digitalsignals and power. In some embodiments, cables 4 comprise two or morecables that are capable of transmitting digital signals, power, and anyother electrical signal. In other embodiments, digital media player 2 isdevoid of cables 4. In this manner, digital media player 2 receivesand/or sends digital signals and/or power wirelessly.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate screen 6, which includes screenside 8, topside18, backside 12, vent 14, bottomside 16, threaded hole 17, first side94, and second side 96. Screen 6 includes any computer monitor,television, image-producing portion of movie projectors, video gameconsole, or any device capable of projecting images. Televisions includeflat-panel displays, flat-screen televisions, and tube televisions.While it is not illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, digital media player 2 iselectrically connected to screen 6. The electrical connection betweendigital media player 2 and screen 6 may be achieved via a wired orwireless connection. The wired connection may include the HDMI cables asdescribed above, or any other cable that is configured to transmitdigital signals. In this embodiment, digital media player 2 transmitsdigital signals to screen 6, which are then displayed as visual imageson screen 6, via screenside 8. While not illustrated, screen 6 may alsoinclude a power cord that is electrically connected to screen 6 at oneend and electrically connected to a power source at the other end.

Screen 6 includes screenside 8, which is configured to display images.Screen 6 also includes backside 12, which is located at an opposite sideas screenside 8 along a depth direction Z. Backside 12 may include vents14. Screen manufacturers often include vents 14 on backside 12 to allowheat to escape from inside screen 6. Screen 6 further includes topside18 and bottomside 16, which are located at opposite vertical ends onscreen 6 along the vertical direction V. In one embodiment, topside 18or bottomside 16 may support digital media player 2.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A shows backside 12 furtherincluding a threaded hole 17. Threaded hole 17 may be configured toreceive a threaded screw, which is not shown in this embodiment. In thismanner, screen 6 may be coupled to a device such as a mounting device 10by threading a screw through mounting device 10 and in to threaded hole17. It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments, screen 6 mayinclude two or more threaded holes 17. In this manner, one or morescrews may be threaded in to any one or more of the two or more threadedholes 17 to couple mounting device 10 to screen 6.

To orient the different sides of screen 6 and the various mountinglocations, FIGS. 2A-2B also illustrate vertical direction V, horizontaldirection H, and depth direction Z.

FIG. 3 illustrates mounting device 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG.3, mounting device 10 includes extension member 20, pivot member 22, topslide member 24, side members 26, top member 28, front opening 30, andfrontside retention member 32. Extension member 20 is slidably coupledto pivot member 22. Pivot member 22 is pivotally coupled to top slidemember 24.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, mounting device 10 also includes sidemembers 26, top member 28, and front retention member 32. Top member 28is slidably coupled to top slide member 24 and snapably coupled to sidemembers 26. In this manner, a user may easily remove side members 26from top member 28 without using any tools. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, side members 26 may support digital media player 2. Accordingly,mounting device 10 may be sized to accommodate any of the digital mediaplayers previously mentioned.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, front retention member 32 may serveto retain any digital media player that is coupled to mounting device10. As such, front retention member 32 may serve to prevent digitalmedia player 2 from falling to the ground and suffering damage. In otherembodiments, mounting device 10 does not include front retention member32. In other embodiments, mounting device 10 includes any type ofretention member, such as adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, or any typeof mechanical interference. Mechanical interference may include any typeof interference that prevents digital media player 2 from falling out ofmounting device 10, such as a press fit or any interference that servesto achieve this purpose.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, mounting device 10 also includesfrontside opening 30. Frontside opening 30 serves to provide line ofsight between digital media player 2 and the user and/or any remotecontrol devices that are coupled with digital media player 2.

FIG. 4A illustrates the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 further includingdigital media player 2. In FIG. 4A, digital media player 2 is slidablycoupled to mounting device 10. In this manner, mounting device 10securely retains digital media player 2 within mounting device 10.Mounting device 10 may be configured to accommodate any digital mediaplayer mentioned in this disclosure.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A also shows front edge 44 of topslide member 24 as abutting front wall 40 of slide channel 38. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 4A also illustrates extension member 20 andpivot member 22, effectively at a 0° angle with respect to top member28. In this manner, extension member 20 is substantially parallel to topmember 28.

FIG. 4A illustrates a frontside retention member 32 that is configuredto hold a digital media player 2 inside the mounting device 10. In someembodiments, the frontside retention member 32 protrudes away from thetop member 28 such that the frontside retention member 32 covers aportion of the digital media player 2. The frontside retention member 32can be a cantilever beam configured to flex or deform. The portion thatprotrudes away from the top member 28 can be oriented within plus orminus 20 degrees of perpendicular to the cantilever beam.

FIG. 4A also illustrates side members 26 that define at least a portionof the mounting device 10 that is narrower than the digital media player2. As a result, inserting the digital media player 2 into the mountingdevice 10 may deform the side members 26 by pushing the side members 26farther apart. The friction caused by deforming the mounting device 10may at least partially secure the digital media player 2 inside themounting device 10.

FIG. 4A illustrates the mounting device 10 in a collapsed configuration.FIG. 4C illustrates the mounting device 10 with the arm moved towards amiddle portion of the top member 28 (or base portion) to uncollapse themounting device 10. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate that extending the arm,such as extension member 20, can increase an overall length of the arm.It should be appreciated that some embodiments include arms that do notextend.

Protruding away from the base portion in a vertical direction does notnecessarily mean the arm is perpendicular to the base portion. Anydirection that is out of the plane defined by the base portion can be avertical direction, as defined by the fourth direction V1. In someembodiments, the fourth direction V1 is within plus or minus 40 degreesof being perpendicular to the base portion.

FIG. 4B illustrates mounting device 10 in a different configuration thanthe illustration shown in FIG. 4A. In the illustration shown in FIG. 4B,extension member 20 and pivot member 22 is pivoted 90° along pivotpositions P1 and P2 from the configuration shown in FIG. 4A, such thatthe extension member is substantially parallel to vertical direction V.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, extension member 20 and pivot member22 are configured to pivot to any position along pivot positions P1 andP2, which thereby effectively allows extension member 20 and pivotmember 22 to pivot at least 180° from the original configuration shownin FIG. 4A to any point along pivot positions P1 and P2.

Furthermore, the ability of extension member 20 and pivot member 22 topivot allows the user to couple extension member 20 to a matinginterface. The mating interface may include any of the following,including, but not limited to: topside 18 of screen 6, backside 12 ofscreen 6, vents 14 of screen 6, bottomside 16 of screen 6, screenside 8of screen 6, a wall, or any other stationary device located adjacent toscreen 6. Because extension member 20 and pivot member 22 are able topivot up to and beyond 180° they are able to adapt to a mating interfacepositioned at any angle with respect to the ground.

In one embodiment, backside 12 of screen 6 is not perpendicular withrespect to the ground, and is at an angle not equal to 90°. In thisscenario, extension member 20 and pivot member 22 are able to pivot toany desired angle thereby allowing the user to angle digital mediaplayer 2 to be parallel to the ground, or at any angle that the userdesires. For example, if extension member 20 is coupled to a structurethat is located high off the ground, the user may aim digital mediaplayer 2 down toward the ground, so as to maintain line of sight betweendigital media player 2 and the user and/or remote control device that iscoupled with digital media player 2.

FIG. 4B also illustrates top slide member 24 positioned in a differentconfiguration than the illustration shown in FIG. 4A. In theillustrations shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, top slide member 24 is relocatedfrom a first position, wherein the top slide member 24 is abutting frontwall member 40 in the first position (as illustrated in FIG. 4A), to asecond position, wherein the top slide member 24 is abutting back wall42 in the second position (as illustrated in FIG. 4B). In this manner,top slide member 24 may slide along and be positioned at any point alongslide channel 38.

FIG. 4C illustrates yet another configuration of mounting device 10. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4C, extension member 20 slides alongpivot member 22. In this manner, extension member 20 is effectivelyelongated with respect to top member 28. This elongation is accomplishedby the slidable connection between extension member 20 and pivot member22. Extension member 20 is configured to slide along pivot member 22such that extension member edge 54 is configured to be located at anyposition along extension position EL. As extension member 20 slidesalong pivot member 22, extension member 20 may be configured to stop andlock in place at a discrete location on pivot member 22. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4C, extension member 20 may lock in place withrespect to pivot member 22. In this manner, snap member 50 of pivotmember 22 may engage slot member 52 of extension member 20. To lockextension member 20 in place with respect to pivot member 22, the usermay move extension member 20 to the desired location and then stop wherethe user desires to lock extension member 20. In this manner, extensionmember 20 may be locked in place with respect to pivot member 22.

In order to lock extension member 20 in place with respect to pivotmember 22, snap member 50 may engage the nearest slot member 52, therebylocking extension member 20 in place with respect to pivot member 22.Furthermore, snap member 50 may be configured to have sufficientelasticity so that after snap member 50 has engaged slot member 52, theuser is able to easily disengage snap member 50 from slot member 52,thereby allowing the user to easily move extension member 20 to adifferent position along pivot member 22. In another embodiment the usermay perform an additional operation in order to reposition extensionmember 20. In this manner, the user may push snap member 50 so that itdisengages the corresponding slot member 52 before extension member 20is able to move to a new location.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4C, extension member 20 has 13 slotmembers. In other embodiments, extension member 20 has any number ofslot members less than 13 slot members. In other embodiments, extensionmember 20 has 14 or more slot members. In yet other embodiments, thelocking is achieved by alternate locking means other than snap member 50engaging slot member 52. This alternate locking means may include anyother type of mechanical interference (e.g. friction fit), adhesivelock, hook and loop fastener lock, or any other type of locking means.

FIG. 4D illustrates a backside of mounting device 10 and backsideopening 36, which is located opposite to frontside opening 30. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4D cables 4 are able to pass through backsideopening 36 of mounting device 10 in order to be electrically coupledwith digital media player 2. In this manner, backside opening 36 allowsthe user to have accessibility to any cable jack, battery slot, switch,or any other feature contained on an adjacent face of digital mediaplayer to backside opening 36. In other embodiments, mounting device 10may not include backside opening 36.

FIG. 4E illustrates another embodiment of mounting 18 further includingadhesive pad 21. Adhesive pad 21 may be adhered to extension member 20.In this manner, adhesive pad 21 may adhere mounting device 10 to anystructure, such as screen 6. “Adhere” means to hold fast or stick bygluing, suction, grasping, or fusing or as if by gluing, suction,grasping, or fusing. In some embodiments, adhesive pad 21 includes foamadhesive that can be cut to various shapes such as rectangles andcircles. In other embodiments, adhesive pad 21 does not include padding.Adhesive pad 21 can include double-sided tape and/or a bonding agentsuch as glue or a suction cup. Adhesive pad 21 can cause permanent ortemporary adhesion.

It should be appreciated that any number of adhesive pads 21 may becoupled to extension member 20. It should also be appreciated thatadhesive pad 21 may be coupled to any other side of mounting device 10.For example, in some embodiments adhesive pad 21 is adhered to topmember 28. In other embodiments, adhesive pad 21 is adhered to pivotmember 22, top slide member 24, or side member 26. It should also beappreciated that in other embodiments, adhesive pad 21 is adhered tomore than one of these locations on mounting device 10. It should alsobe appreciated that adhesive pad 21 may be used with various embodimentsof mounting device 10. In some embodiments, mounting device 10 comprisesa tray that supports digital media player 2. In this manner, adhesivepad 21 is adhered to any location on the tray, which may then adhere thetray to any structure, such as screen 6.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate various views of top member 28. The top member 28is one embodiment of a base portion. A base portion couples one outsidewall to another outside wall, such as side members 26. In someembodiments, the outside walls are oriented roughly perpendicular to thebase portion (as illustrated in FIG. 3). Mounting devices are not alwaysoriented such that top members 28 are oriented near a top portion of themounting devices. The base portion and the two outside walls can beconfigured to hold the digital media player.

Orienting digital media player 2 approximately horizontally meansorienting the digital media player 2 such that a top surface or bottomsurface of the digital media player 2 is within plus or minus fortydegrees of horizontal in relation to the screen 6. The top and bottomsurfaces are located at opposite surfaces of the digital media player 2along the vertical direction V. Some embodiments include orienting adigital media player 2 such that a top surface or bottom surface of thedigital media player 2 is within plus or minus thirty degrees ofhorizontal in relation to the screen 6. Some embodiments includeorienting a digital media player 2 such that a top surface or bottomsurface of the digital media player 2 is within plus or minus fifteendegrees of horizontal in relation to the screen 6. Some embodimentsinclude orienting a digital media player 2 such that a top surface orbottom surface of the digital media player 2 is within plus or minusfive degrees of horizontal in relation to the screen 6.

FIG. 5A illustrates top member 28 with no other components coupled inorder to further show slide channel 38, front wall 40, back wall 42,channel 56, and wings 70. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A, slidechannel 38 contains parallel opposing walls that are lined with aplurality of teeth. The plurality of teeth effectively act as a catch toengage latch member 64 on top slide member 24, as will be furtherdescribed in FIGS. 6B-6D. In this manner, the plurality of teeth inslide channel 38 lock top slide member 24 in place.

FIG. 5A further illustrates front wall 40 and back wall 42. Front wall40 and back wall 42 provide opposing boundaries for top slide member 24.In this manner, top slide member 24 may be able to slide to any positionwithin slide channel 38 between front wall 40 and back wall 42.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5A also illustrates channel 56, which isconfigured to engage side members 26. Channel 56 is a channel that ispositioned in between wings 70. FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective viewof the bottom of top member 28. The illustration in FIG. 5B furtherillustrates channel 56 and wings 70. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B,channel 56 may include mounting teeth 58. Mounting teeth 58 may beconfigured to snapably engage the corresponding mating slot 62 in sidemember 26, as will be further described in FIGS. 7A-7B.

FIG. 5C illustrates a top-down view of channel 38. This illustration isintended to show the shape of the teeth that line channel 38. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5C, the teeth of channel 38 are formed by aplurality of semi-circle indentations that are formed along channel 38.Positioned adjacent the semi-circle indentations are flat portions. Thesemi-circle indentations act as catches to engage the correspondinglatch member 64 in top slide member 24, which will be further discussedin FIG. 6B-6D.

In other embodiments any other shape may be used to form the pluralityof teeth. For example, the teeth are formed from triangle shapes. Inanother embodiment, the teeth are formed from rectangular shapes. In yetanother embodiment, the teeth are formed from a square shape. In yetanother embodiment, the teeth are formed from any full or partialportion of a shape selected from the group consisting of an oval,octagon, pentagon, parallelogram, and trapezoid. In any of the previousembodiments described in this paragraph, channel 38 may or may notcontain flat sections, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 5C. Inother embodiments, flat sections are replaced by any full or partialportion of a shape selected from the group consisting of a circle,square, rectangle, triangle, oval, octagon, pentagon, parallelogram, andtrapezoid. In yet another variation of any of the previous embodimentsdescribed, the flat sections are not evenly spaced between the indentedshapes in channel 38.

FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of top member 28. FIG. 5D also includessection A-A, which will be further illustrated in FIG. 5E.

FIG. 5E further illustrates Section A-A of top member 28. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5E shows mounting teeth 58 as originating from wall66 in top member 28. Mounting teeth 58 are also contained within channel56. Mounting teeth 58 are configured to receive the corresponding matingteeth 60 and mating slot 62 in side member 26. Mounting teeth 58 arethen configured to lock in place with mating teeth 60 and mating slot62. In this manner, sidewall 68 of side member 26 may come to restagainst wall 66 of top member 28, which is known as an interface of wall66 and sidewall 68.

The interface of wall 66 and sidewall 68 resists movement between topmember 28 and side member 26 along the horizontal direction H.Furthermore, the coupling of mounting teeth 58 with mating slot 62 andmating teeth 60 resists movement between top member 28 and side member26 along the depth direction Z. As well, wings 70 resist movementbetween top member 28 and side member 26 along the vertical direction V.In effect, the resistance of movement in the horizontal, vertical, anddepth directions H, V, and Z, effectively lock side member 26 in placewith top member 28. The lock between these two parts may act to securelyretain digital media player 2 in place with respect to the top member28.

Top member 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5E may be configured to be anysize and/or type of geometry. In addition, top member 28 may beconstructed of any type of material. In some embodiments, top member 28may be molded from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic with ahardness of 75 shore D. In other embodiments, top member 28 may bemolded from ABS plastic with a hardness of 60 shore D. In furtherembodiments, top member 28 may be molded from polyurethane with ahardness of 90 shore A. In yet other embodiments, top member 28 may bemolded from silicone rubber with a hardness of 95 shore A.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of top slide member 24. Theillustration in FIG. 6A shows top slide member 24 as also includingwheels 72, wheelwall 76, rails 78, and rail wall 80. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 6A, wheels 72 may also include teeth 74 that are locatedaround the outer perimeter of wheels 72. Wheels 72 are pivotally coupledto pivot member 22. In this manner, pivot member 22 may be able to pivotin any rotational direction R along wheels 72. When pivot member 22 iscoupled with wheels 72, an interior wall of pivot member 22 ispositioned so that it abuts or is adjacent to wheelwall 76. Wheelwall 76both serves as an anchor for wheels 72 and also serves to resistmovement of pivot member 22, with respect to top slide member 24, in thedirection parallel to the axis of wheels 72.

Wheels 72 also contain a plurality of teeth 74 that are located on theouter perimeter of wheels 72. Teeth 74 may serve to provide frictionagainst pivot member 22 when pivot member 22 is pivoted about wheels 72.Teeth 74 may be configured to provide just enough friction so that theuser is able to pivot the pivot member 22 about the longitudinal axis ofwheels 72 by hand, as indicated by pivot direction 84. Yet, teeth 74 arestill configured to have enough friction to engage pivot member 22 inplace, with respect to top slide member 24, thereby resisting furtherpivoting when the user wishes to retain pivot member 22 in place. Forexample, teeth 74 are configured to have enough friction, with respectto pivotal movement of pivot member 22, so that pivot member 22 can beisolated at any angle and still thereby support the remaining weight ofmounting device 10 and digital media player 2 without moving.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, teeth 74 comprise the shape of aseries of semi-circles. In other embodiments, teeth 74 can take on anyvariety of shape. For example, teeth 74 can be configured to make up anyfull or partial portion of the following shapes, including, but notlimited to: a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, oval, octagon,pentagon, parallelogram, and trapezoid. In other embodiments, teeth 74can be a different surface material, such as a rough material, whichcauses friction with pivot member 22. As such, teeth 74 can be formed ofdifferent shapes and/or material types such that they are configured tohave proper friction with pivot member 22.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, wheels 72 contain a plurality ofteeth. In other embodiments, wheels 72 may contain fewer teeth, or moreteeth. For example, in one series of embodiments, wheels 72 contain 20or fewer teeth. In another series of embodiments, wheels 72 contain 21or more teeth.

Top slide member 24 may also include rails 78 and rail walls 80. Rails78 may engage bottom edge 82 of channel 38 of top member 28. Theinterface of bottom edge 82 and rails 78 may resist movement of topslide member 24 in the vertical direction V.

Additionally, rail walls 80 may be configured to interface channel 38.The interface between rail walls 80 and channel 38 of top member 28 mayresist movement in the depth direction Z. In this manner, the resistanceof movement created between rails 78 and bottom edge 82, and rail walls80 and channel 38 may resist movement of top slide member 24 and topmember 28 in the vertical direction V and the depth direction Z. Assuch, top slide member 24 may then be able to move in the horizontaldirection H.

FIG. 6B further illustrates that top slide member 24 may include latchmember 64. Latch member 64 may be configured to engage correspondingteeth in channel 38 of top member 28. As previously described, theplurality of teeth in channel 38 may act as catches to engage latchmember 64 of top slide member 24. As the plurality of teeth catch latchmember 64 this may resist movement of top slide member 24 with respectto the horizontal direction H. In this manner, top slide member 24 maymove along channel 38 in the horizontal direction H but then be lockedin place with respect to the horizontal direction if the user desires.If the user wants to move latch member 64 along channel 38, the user mayonly have to apply minimal force against top slide member 24 to unlockthe connection between top slide member 24 and top member 28. In thismanner, the user may be able to easily unlock top slide member 24 fromtop member 28, while also enjoying the security of having top slidemember 24 locked in place with respect to any direction V, H or Z, ifthe user desires.

FIG. 6C illustrates a partial side view of top slide member 24. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6C, latch member 64 is shown to slightlyprotrude beyond rail wall 80. The protrusion of latch member 64 mayengage one or more teeth of the plurality of teeth of channel 38 to locktop slide member 24 in place along the horizontal direction H.

FIG. 6D illustrates a bottom perspective view of top slide member 24. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 6D, latch member 64 is further illustratedas including semi-circle bump 88, which may act to engage one or moreteeth of the plurality of teeth of channel 38. In other embodiments,bump 88 may be any full or partial portion of any other shape including,but not limited to the following: a circle, square, rectangle, triangle,oval, octagon, pentagon, parallelogram, and trapezoid.

Extension member 20, pivot member 22, and top slide member 24 may beconfigured to be any size and/or type of geometry. In addition,extension member 20, pivot member 22, and top slide member 24 may beconstructed of any type of material. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe three may be molded from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)plastic with a hardness of 75 shore D. In other embodiments, one or moremay be molded from ABS plastic with a hardness of 60 shore D. In furtherembodiments, one or more may be molded from polyurethane with a hardnessof 90 shore A. In yet other embodiments, one or more may be molded fromsilicone rubber with a hardness of 95 shore A.

FIG. 7A illustrates a bottom-up view of side members 26. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 7A, side members 26 further include matingteeth 60, mating slot 62, and sidewall 68, which extends perpendicularin to the page along the vertical direction V. Mating teeth 60 andmating slot 62 may be configured to engage and lock in place withmounting teeth 58 of top member 28. The locking between mounting teeth58 with mating teeth 60 and mating slot 62 may create a lock, whichlocks side members 26 with respect to top member 28. It should beappreciated that any use of the word “lock” or “locking” may refer toeither a temporary lock, which can be unlocked, or a permanent lock, maynot be unlocked.

To engage the lock between side members 26 and top member 28, the usermay slide sidewall 68 of side member 26 into channel 56 of top member 28along the horizontal direction H or depth direction Z. Once sidewall 68is received within channel 56, the user may cause side member 26 to movealong the vertical direction V up towards extension member 20. Sidewall68 may move so that it interfaces wall 66 of top member 28. Once wall 66and sidewall 68 have mated, the user may then cause side member 26 tomove so that its perimeter abuts the corresponding perimeter of topmember 28. Once side member 26 is in place, the user may then cause sidemember 26 to move down along the vertical direction V away fromextension member 20, which may cause mating teeth 60 and mating slot 62to engage mounting teeth 58, thereby locking side member 26 in placewith respect to top member 28. It should also be appreciated that theside members 26 may engage and lock top member 28 in any way that isable to create a temporary or permanent lock. In some embodiments, sidemembers 26 snap in to top member 28 to create a mechanical interferencethat resists movement, which may effectively lock side members 26 to topmember 28.

To unlock side members 26 from top member 28, the user may cause sidemember 26 to move along the vertical direction V in the direction towardextension member 20, while keeping top member 28 fixed in place. Thismovement may cause mating teeth 60 and mating slot 62 to disengage frommounting teeth 58 on top member 28, which may then allow side member 26to slide free of top member 28. It should also be appreciated that sidemembers 26 may be unlocked from top member 28 in any other way. In someembodiments, side members 26 unsnap from top member 28 to unlock.

FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of side members 26. FIG. 7Bfurther illustrates retention wall 90. Retention wall 90 may be formedat the back end of side member 26 (along the horizontal direction H)adjacent to backside opening 36. Retention wall 90 may be configured tosecurely retain digital media player 2 so that digital media player 2does not slide out of backside opening 36. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7B, retention wall 90 may be formed by a curved wall section. Thecurved wall section, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B,is formed as outside wall 92 runs parallel to sidewall 68 and thencurves in the toward the depth direction Z. The curved section may beconfigured to define retention wall 90. In other embodiments, the curvedsection may be formed from any size curve. In yet other embodiments,retention wall 90 may be formed by any other shape. For example,retention wall 90 may be formed by a right angle, such as the corner ofa square, or any other shape that would act to securely retain digitalmedia player 2. In some embodiments there may be no retention wall 90.

In some embodiments, outside walls 92 and/or retention walls 90 onlycover a small portion of digital media player 2. Several embodimentsinclude outside walls 92 and/or retention walls 90 that are only 1 inchwide even though the digital media players that fit inside severalembodiments can be much wider than 2 inches. In some embodiments, anoutside wall 92 covers approximately 20% of the corresponding side of adigital media player 2. In several embodiments, an outside wall coversapproximately 80% of the corresponding side of a digital media player 2.It should be appreciated that the outside walls 92 may cover any portionof a side of digital media player 2 between 0-100%.

Side member 26 may be configured to be any size and/or type of geometry.In addition, side member 26 may be constructed of any type of material.In some embodiments, side member 26 may be molded from acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS) plastic with a hardness of 75 shore D. In otherembodiments, side member 26 may be molded from ABS plastic with ahardness of 60 shore D. In further embodiments, side member 26 may bemolded from polyurethane with a hardness of 90 shore A. In yet otherembodiments, side member 26 may be molded from silicone rubber with ahardness of 95 shore A.

It should also be appreciated that some embodiments only include oneside member 26, which may be referred to as a tray, such as the traydisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/278,759 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/332,373, which has been incorporated byreference. In this manner, the tray may receive any size, shape, or typeof digital media player 2 and the tray may then be further coupled toany other component, such as those illustrated in this disclosure. Insome embodiments, the tray does not include any other components and iscoupled to any location on screen 6.

FIG. 8A illustrates digital media player 2 coupled to mounting device10, which is further coupled to screen 6. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 8A, mounting device 10 and digital media player 2 may be coupledadjacent to bottomside 16 of screen 6. In this manner, if the user ispositioned facing screenside 8 of screen 6, the user may have directline of sight to digital media player 2 and mounting device 10. In otherembodiments, not shown, mounting device 10 may be coupled to anylocation along the perimeter of screen 6. In this manner, mountingdevice 10 may be coupled any location along topside 18, bottomside 16,first side 94, or second side 96 of screen 6. In these embodiments,mounting device 10 may be coupled to backside 12, screenside 8, topside18, bottomside 16, first side 94, or second side 96 of screen 6.

The direct line of sight configuration may allow the user to haveimproved connectivity between a remote control device and digital mediaplayer 2. This configuration may also increase accessibility to digitalmedia player 2. In addition, this embodiment may eliminate the need forthe user to drill a hole in a wall that is adjacent to screen 6 in orderto run cables behind the wall or to install a shelf for digital mediaplayer 2.

FIG. 8B illustrates the embodiment of mounting device 10 from FIG. 8A,but in this illustration, mounting device 10 is mounted to topside 18 ofscreen 6. In the illustration of FIG. 8B, mounting device 10 and digitalmedia player 2 are coupled adjacent to topside 18 of screen 6. FIGS. 8Aand 8B illustrate two of the many ways that mounting device 10 alone orcoupled with digital media player 2 may be coupled to screen 6.

Mounting device 10 may also be configured to couple to any screen 6.This aspect of mounting device 10 may have wide commercial appeal tousers. In some embodiments, mounting device 10 may be a one-size fitsall device, because the mounting device 10 may be coupled to any type,size, style or manufacturer of digital media player 2. The user may thenfurther couple mounting device 10 and digital media player 2 to anytype, size, style, or manufacturer of screen 6, as previously described.In other embodiments, mounting device 10 may be designed specificallyfor coupling with one or a limited type of digital media player 2. Forexample, a mounting device 10 may be configured to only be coupled withApple TV. Although, in this manner, mounting device 10 may still becoupled to any type, size, style, or manufacturer of screen 6.

In yet other embodiments, mounting device 10 may be configured to couplewith all digital media players manufactured by one manufacturer. Forexample, one mounting device 10 may be configured to couple with anymodel of Roku digital media player 2. In this embodiment, mountingdevice 10 may still be configured to couple with any type, size, style,or manufacturer of screen 6. In yet even further embodiments, mountingdevice 10 may be configured to couple with several different modelsand/or brands of digital media players. Again, in this embodimentmounting device 10 may be configured to couple to any type, size, style,or manufacturer of screen 6.

Mounting device 10 may be configured to couple to screen 6 in a numberof different ways. In some embodiments, extension member 20 is coupledto backside 12 of screen 6 via adhesive. In other embodiments, extensionmember 20 is coupled to backside 12 via coupling means, such fabrichook-and-loop fasteners, one or more magnets, or screws that arethreaded into backside 12. In other embodiments, extension member 20 iscoupled to backside 12 via any combination of the previously mentionedcoupling means. In yet other embodiments, extension member 20 is coupledto backside 12 of screen 6 via one or more hooks, like the hooksdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/278,759 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/332,373.

In yet further embodiments, mounting device 10 is coupled to backside 12by coupling any of the previously mentioned coupling means to any othercomponent on mounting device 10, such as pivot member 22, top slidemember 24, side member 26, or top member 28. In other embodiments,extension member 20, pivot member 22, top slide member 24, side member26, or top member 28 may be coupled to a wall that is adjacent to screen6 or a stand that is coupled to screen 6, such as a television stand, ora computer monitor stand.

FIGS. 9A-9J illustrate various embodiments where the digital mediaplayer is positioned along the bottomside of the screen or along thetopside of the screen. FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate a side view of screen 6with mounting device 10 and digital media player 2 coupled adjacentbottomside 16 of screen 6. FIG. 9A illustrates mounting device 10coupled to screen 6 adjacent to bottomside 16. In another configurationof the embodiment from FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B shows mounting device 10configured such that it is vertically offset from bottomside 16 alongthe vertical direction V away in the direction opposite the topside 18.In this manner, mounting device 10 may be positioned at any verticallocation along extension member 20 along the vertical direction V.

Positioning the digital media player 2 along the bottomside 16 meansplacing the digital media player 2 in close proximity to the bottomside16. In some embodiments, “along” means within 10 inches, within 5inches, within 3 inches, or within 1 inch of the bottomside 16. Someembodiments include positioning the digital media player 2 such that itabuts the bottomside 16.

Positioning the digital media player 2 along the topside 18 meansplacing the digital media player 2 in close proximity to the topside 18.In some embodiments, “along” means within 10 inches, within 5 inches,within 3 inches, or within 1 inch of the topside 18. Some embodimentsinclude positioning the digital media player 2 such that it abuts, ortouches the topside 18.

To achieve the vertical offset, the user may extend extension member 20until mounting device 10 reaches its desired vertical offset along thevertical direction V. In addition, mounting device 10 may be configuredto allow the user to vertically offset mounting device 10 along thevertical direction V in other ways, such as by coupling extension member20 to screen 6 at a different vertical position. In this manner, theuser may achieve the same vertical offset without having to extendextension member 20. It should also be appreciated that the user mayperform any of these vertical offset techniques in combination to adjustthe vertical offset along the vertical direction V to the user's liking.

FIGS. 9C-9D illustrate another side view of screen 6, but this time withmounting device 10 and digital media player 2 coupled adjacent totopside 18 of screen 6. As previously mentioned, mounting device 10 maybe configured to be coupled to any location on screen 6. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 9C, mounting device 10 is coupled to screen 6adjacent to topside 18. In this manner, extension member 20 may becoupled to backside 12 of screen 6 such that mounting device 10 abutsthe topside 18, or is adjacent to topside 18.

It should also be appreciated that some embodiments do not includeextension member 20. In this manner, the mounting device 10 may besimilar to trays disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/278,759 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/332,373. In order tomount the tray adjacent to topside 18, the tray may be configured tocouple to either the backside 12, topside 18, screenside 8 or anycombination of the three. In order to mount the tray adjacent tobottomside 16, the tray may be configured to couple to either backside12, screenside 8 or any combination of the three.

FIG. 9D illustrates an embodiment of the mounting device 10, but thistime extension member 20 may be extended so that mounting device 10 anddigital media player 2 are vertically offset from topside 18 along thevertical direction V in the direction opposite bottomside 16. Again, aspreviously mentioned, mounting device 10 may be configured to allow theuser to vertically offset mounting device 10 from screen 6 in a numberof ways, such as by extending extension member 20 or coupling extensionmember 20 to screen 6 at a different vertical position.

FIGS. 9E-9F illustrate another configuration of mounting device 10 withrespect to screen 6. Mounting device 10 may be configured to bepositioned at any horizontal location along horizontal direction H. Inthis manner, the user may horizontally adjust mounting device 10 so thatfrontside opening 30 is horizontally offset at any position with respectto screenside 8. In this manner, the user may horizontally adjustmounting device 10 so that frontside opening 30 is flush with screenside8. In addition, mounting device 10 may be horizontally adjusted so thatfrontside opening 30 is positioned to the front of screenside 8, asillustrated in FIG. 9E. Mounting device 10 may also be horizontallyadjusted so that frontside opening 30 is positioned to the rear or frontof screenside 8, as illustrated in FIG. 9F.

FIGS. 9G-9H illustrate that mounting device 10 may be configured to besimultaneously horizontally offset and vertically offset from screen 6.FIG. 9G illustrates that mounting device 10 may be fully verticallyoffset with respect to topside 18 and fully horizontally offset suchthat frontside opening 30 of mounting device 10 is horizontally offsetto the front of screenside 8 of screen 6. FIG. 9H also illustrates therearward horizontal offset. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9H, mountingdevice 10 may be fully vertically offset with respect to topside 18 andfully horizontally offset such that frontside opening 30 is horizontallyoffset to the rear of screenside 8. “Fully” in the context of thisdisclosure means to the maximum allowed. The maximum can either be themaximum determined by mounting device 10, screen 6, or the structure(such as a wall) to which screen 6 is adjacent.

While the illustration in FIGS. 9G-9H only illustrate the simultaneousvertical and horizontal offset when coupled adjacent to topside 18 ofscreen 6, mounting device 10 is not limited to this one configuration.Mounting device 10 may be simultaneously vertically and horizontallyoffset when mounting device 10 is coupled adjacent to bottomside 16, orwhen mounting device 10 is coupled to any other location on screen 6.

FIGS. 9I-9J illustrate that mounting device 10 may also be configured tobe horizontally offset, vertically offset, and pivotally offset fromscreen 6. Similar to the illustration in FIG. 9G, FIG. 9I illustratesthat mounting device 10 may be fully vertically offset with respect totopside 18 and fully horizontally offset such that frontside opening 30of mounting device 10 is horizontally offset to the front of screenside8, and even further that mounting device 10 may be configured to bepivotally offset such that frontside opening 30 of mounting device 10 ispivoted down toward the direction of bottomside 16. In this manner, theuser may be able to fully customize the position of mounting device 10to their liking. For example, in the illustration shown in FIG. 9I,mounting device 10 may be pivotally offset so that mounting device 10and digital media player 2 are aimed down toward the user. While notshown, it should also be appreciated that the mounting device 10 may beconfigured to maintain the same vertical offset and horizontal offset asshown in FIG. 9I, but instead be aimed up in the direction oppositebottom side 16, similar to the pivotal offset illustrated in FIG. 9J.

FIG. 9J illustrates yet another configuration of mounting device 10.Similar to the illustration in FIG. 9H, FIG. 9J illustrates thatmounting device 10 may be fully vertically offset with respect totopside 18 of screen 6 and fully horizontally offset such that frontsideopening 30 of mounting device 10 is horizontally offset to the rear ofscreenside 8, and even further that mounting device 10 may be configuredto be pivotally offset such that frontside opening 30 of mounting device10 is pivoted up in the direction opposite bottomside 16. While notshown, it should also be appreciated that the mounting device 10 may beconfigured to maintain the same vertical offset and horizontal offset asshown in FIG. 9J, but instead be aimed down in the direction towardsbottom side 16, similar to the pivotal offset illustrated in FIG. 9I.

While FIGS. 9I-9J only show two possible configurations of mountingdevice 10 being horizontally, vertically, and pivotally offset withrespect to screen 6, it should be noted that any combination ofhorizontal, vertical, and pivotal offset is possible. Furthermore, anyof these combinations of offsets may be possible when mounting device 10is coupled to any location on screen 6, including adjacent to bottomside16 of screen 6.

In some embodiments, arm is extension member 20. In other embodiments,arm is any other type of arm that is configured to couple to screen 6.In this manner, arm may be coupled to topside 18, bottomside 16, firstside 94, or second side 96 of screen 6. In this manner, mounting device10 may be configured such that digital media player 2 is positionedalong topside 18, bottomside 16, first side 94, or second side 96 ofscreen 6. It should be appreciated that mounting device 10 may becoupled at any place on screen 6, such that digital media player 2 maybe positioned at any location along the perimeter of screen 6.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for coupling mountingdevice 10 to screen 6. The structure recited in the discussion of FIGS.10-13 may be the structure illustrated and described in FIGS. 1-9J. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the user obtains mounting device 10(100). The flowchart shows that the user causes mounting device 10 to becoupled to any location on screen 6 (102).

FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart showing a method for coupling a digitalmedia player 2 to a screen 6 with a backside 12, a screenside 8, abottomside 16, and a topside 18. In the embodiment, the user obtains amounting device 10 with a base portion and at least two outside walls(200). The base portion and the two outside walls may be configured tohold the digital media player 2. The mounting device 10 may furthercomprise an arm that is configured to couple the mounting device 10 tothe screen.

The user may configure an arm of the mounting device 10 so it protrudesaway from the base portion in a vertical direction V (202). The user mayposition the digital media player 2 along the bottomside 16 of thescreen (204). The digital media player 2 may be oriented in anapproximately horizontal direction while the mounting device 10 isholding the digital media player 2. The user may couple the arm to thebackside 12 of the screen such the arm is positioned above the digitalmedia player (206).

In some embodiments, the method further includes adhering the arm to thebackside 12 of the screen 6. In some embodiments, the backside 12comprises a vent 14 and the method further includes hooking the arm tothe vent 14. In other embodiments, the backside 12 comprises a threadedhole 17 and the method includes coupling the arm to the threaded hole17.

In some embodiments, the mounting device 10 has a frontside retentionmember 32 and the method further includes the step of moving thefrontside retention member 32 relative to the base portion whileinserting the digital media player 2 into the mounting device 10. Insome embodiments, the method further includes extending the arm suchthat an overall length of the arm becomes longer with respect to a firstlength of the arm. In some embodiments, the arm has a lower portion thatis coupled to the base portion and the method further includes slidingthe lower portion relative to the base portion. In some embodiments, themethod further includes rotating the arm relative to the base portion.In this manner, the arm may be configured to rotate to various angles aspreviously described.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the method also includes coupling thearm to the backside 12 of the screen 6 such that at least a portion ofthe digital media player 2 is visible from a viewing position that isoriented directly at the screenside 8 of the screen 6 and located tenfeet from the screenside 8. In some embodiments, the digital mediaplayer 2 has a remote sensor configured to receive signals from a remotecontrol and the method further comprising coupling the arm to thebackside 12 of the screen 6 such that at least the remote sensor isvisible from a viewing position that is oriented directly at thescreenside 8 of the screen 6 and located ten feet from the screenside 8.

In some embodiments the vertical direction is parallel to a fourthdirection V1, which is within plus or minus forty degrees of verticaldirection V. In other embodiments, the fourth direction V1 is positionedat any angle within vertical direction V and horizontal direction H.

In some embodiments, the method further includes positioning the digitalmedia player 2 five inches or less below the bottomside 16 of the screen6. In some embodiments, the digital media player 2 has a bottom surfaceand side surfaces. In some of these embodiments, the bottom surface islarger than the side surfaces and the method further comprisingorienting the bottom surface within plus or minus thirty degrees ofhorizontal.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart showing another method for coupling adigital media player 2 to a screen 6 with a backside 12, a screenside 8,a bottomside 16, and a topside 18. The method includes obtaining amounting device 10 with a base portion and at least two outside walls(300). The base portion and the two outside walls are configured to holdthe digital media player 2. The mounting device 10 further includes anarm that is configured to couple the mounting device 10 to the screen.The method includes rotating the arm relative to the base portion suchthat the arm protrudes away from the base portion (302). The method alsomay include sliding the arm relative to the base portion such that thearm moves relative to the base portion (304). The method may alsoinclude coupling an adhesive pad to the arm (306). The adhesive pad maycomprise a cover. In other embodiments, method step 306 is optional,because the adhesive pad may already be coupled to the arm. The methodalso may include positioning the mounting device 10 along the bottomside16 or along the topside 18 of the screen (308). The method may alsoinclude configuring the arm such that the adhesive pad laysapproximately flat against a portion of the backside 12 of the screen 6.Furthermore, the method may include adhering the adhesive pad to thebackside 12 of the screen 6.

In some embodiments, the arm has an overall length and the methodfurther includes extending the arm such that the overall length of thearm becomes longer with respect to a first length of the arm. In someembodiments, the method may further include positioning the mountingdevice 10 along the bottomside 16 or along the topside 18 of the screen6 such that the base portion is oriented approximately parallel tohorizontal direction H.

In some embodiments, the method further includes deforming a portion ofthe mounting device 10 while inserting the digital media player 2 intothe mounting device 10, wherein the portion that deforms is configuredto at least partially secure the digital media player 2 to the mountingdevice 10. In some of these embodiments, the portion that deforms is afrontside retention member 32.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flowchart showing another method for coupling adigital media player 2 to screen 6 with a backside 12, a screenside 8, abottomside 16, and a topside 18. The method may include obtaining amounting device 10 in a collapsed configuration (400). The mountingdevice 10 may comprise a base portion and at least two outside walls.The base portion and the two outside walls may be configured to hold thedigital media player 2. The mounting device 10 may further comprise anarm that is configured to couple the mounting device 10 to the screen 6.The method may also include uncollapsing the mounting device 10 byrotating the arm relative to the base portion (402). The method may alsoinclude sliding the arm towards a middle of the base portion andextending the arm such that an overall length of the arm becomes longer.

In some embodiments, the arm has an adhesive surface and the methodfurther includes adjusting the arm such that the adhesive surface isapproximately flat against the backside 12. The method may also includeadhering the adhesive surface to the backside 12 of the screen 6 andholding the digital media player 2 with the mounting device 10 while themounting device 10 is adhered to the backside 12 and while the digitalmedia player 2 is located along the bottomside 16 or along the topside18 of the screen 6.

Adhere means to hold fast or stick by gluing, suction, grasping, orfusing or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing. Some adhesivepads include foam adhesive that can be cut to various shapes such asrectangles and circles. Not all adhesive pads include padding. Adhesivepads can include double-sided tape and/or a bonding agent such as glueor a suction cup. Adhesive pads can cause permanent or temporaryadhesion.

In some embodiments, outside walls and/or retention walls only cover orhold a small portion of a digital media player 2. Several embodimentsinclude outside walls and/or retention walls that are only 1 inch wideeven though the digital media players that fit inside severalembodiments can be much wider than 2 inches. In some embodiments, anoutside wall covers approximately 20% of the corresponding side of adigital media player 2. In several embodiments, an outside wall coversapproximately 80% of the corresponding side of a digital media player 2.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate various views of top member 28. The top member 28is one embodiment of a base portion. A base portion couples one outsidewall to another outside wall. In some embodiments, the outside walls areoriented roughly perpendicular to the base portion (as illustrated inFIG. 3). Mounting devices are not always oriented such that top members28 are oriented near a top portion of the mounting devices. The baseportion and the two outside walls can be configured to hold the digitalmedia player 2.

Positioning the digital media player 2 along the bottomside 16 of thescreen 6 means placing the digital media player 2 in close proximity tothe bottomside 16. In some embodiments, “along” means within 10 inches,within 5 inches, within 3 inches, or within 1 inch of the bottomside 16.Some embodiments include positioning the digital media player 2 suchthat it touches the bottomside 16 of the screen 6.

Positioning the digital media player 2 along the topside 18 of thescreen 6 means placing the digital media player 2 in close proximity tothe topside 18. In some embodiments, “along” means within 10 inches,within 5 inches, within 3 inches, or within 1 inch of the topside 18.Some embodiments include positioning the digital media player 2 suchthat it touches the topside 18 of the screen 6.

Orienting a digital media player 2 approximately horizontally meansorienting the digital media player 2 within plus or minus forty degreesof horizontal in relation to the bottomside 16 of the screen 6. Someembodiments include orienting a digital media player 2 within plus orminus thirty degrees of horizontal in relation to the screen 6. Severalembodiments include orienting a digital media player 2 within plus orminus fifteen degrees of horizontal in relation to the bottomside 16 ofthe screen 6.

FIG. 2 includes a backside 12 of the screen 6 that has a threaded hole17. Some embodiments include coupling the arm to the threaded hole 17.For example, the user can pass a screw through a hole in the arm andthen into the threaded hole 17.

FIG. 4A illustrates a frontside retention member 32 that is configuredto hold a digital media player 2 inside the mounting device 10. In someembodiments, the frontside retention member 32 protrudes away from thetop member 28 such that the frontside retention member 32 covers aportion of the digital media player 2. The frontside retention member 32can be a cantilever beam configured to flex or deform. The portion thatprotrudes away from the top member 28 can be oriented within plus orminus 20 degrees of perpendicular to the cantilever beam.

FIG. 4A also illustrates side members 26 that define at least a portionof the mounting device 10 that is narrower than the digital media player2. As a result, inserting the digital media player 2 into the mountingdevice 10 deforms the side members 26 by pushing the side members 26farther apart. The friction caused by deforming the mounting device 10at least partially secures the digital media player 2 inside themounting device 10.

FIG. 4A illustrates the mounting device 10 in a collapsed configuration.FIG. 4C illustrates the mounting device 10 as the arm is being slidtowards a middle portion of the base portion to uncollapse the mountingdevice 10. FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate that extending the arm canincrease an overall length of the arm. Some embodiments include armsthat do not extend.

Protruding away from the base portion in a vertical direction does notnecessarily mean the arm is perpendicular to the base portion. Anydirection that is out of the plane defined by the base portion can be avertical direction, as defined by fourth direction V1. In someembodiments, the fourth direction V1 is within plus or minus 40 degreesof being perpendicular to the base portion.

Adjustable means capable of being adjusted or capable of being offsetwith respect to a side of the screen. Adjustable also means that themounting device may change so that it fits, corresponds, conforms,adapts, or accommodates any screen or structure adjacent to the screen.

It should be appreciated that any of the method steps illustrated inFIGS. 10-13 are optional and may be performed in any order with respectto each other. Steps from different method embodiments can be combined.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. As such, the above embodiments and aspects thereof may beused in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art after reading the abovedescription. While the foregoing written description of the inventionenables one of ordinary skill to make and use the claimed invention,those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence ofvariations, permutations, combinations, equivalent means, andequivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples herein.The invention should therefore not be limited by the above describedembodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for coupling a digital mediaplayer to a screen with a backside, a screenside, a bottomside, and atopside, the method comprising: obtaining a mounting device with a baseportion and at least two outside walls, wherein the base portion and theat least two outside walls are configured to hold the digital mediaplayer, the mounting device further comprising an arm that is configuredto couple the mounting device to the screen; configuring the arm so itprotrudes away from the base portion in a vertical direction;positioning the digital media player along the bottomside of the screensuch that the digital media player is oriented approximatelyhorizontally while the mounting device is holding the digital mediaplayer; and coupling the arm to the backside of the screen such the armis positioned above the digital media player.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising adhering the arm to the backside of the screen. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the backside comprises a vent and themethod further comprising hooking the arm to the vent.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the backside comprises a threaded hole and the methodfurther comprising coupling the arm to the threaded hole.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the mounting device has a frontside retention memberand the method further comprising moving the frontside retention memberrelative to the base portion while inserting the digital media playerinto the mounting device.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprisingextending the arm such that an overall length of the arm becomes longer.7. The method of claim 1, wherein the arm has a lower portion that iscoupled to the base portion and the method further comprising slidingthe lower portion relative to the base portion.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising rotating the arm relative to the base portion. 9.The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the arm to thebackside of the screen such that at least a portion of the digital mediaplayer is visible from a viewing position that is oriented directly atthe screenside of the screen and located ten feet from the screenside.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media player has a remotesensor configured to receive signals from a remote control and themethod further comprising coupling the arm to the backside of the screensuch that at least the remote sensor is visible from a viewing positionthat is oriented directly at the screenside of the screen and locatedten feet from the screenside.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein thevertical direction is within plus or minus forty degrees ofperpendicular to the base portion.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising positioning the digital media player five inches or lessbelow the bottomside of the screen.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe digital media player has a bottom surface and side surfaces, whereinthe bottom surface is larger than the side surfaces and the methodfurther comprising orienting the bottom surface within plus or minusthirty degrees of horizontal.
 14. A method for coupling a digital mediaplayer to a screen with a backside, a screenside, a bottomside, and atopside, the method comprising: obtaining a mounting device with a baseportion and at least two outside walls, wherein the base portion and theat least two outside walls are configured to hold the digital mediaplayer, the mounting device further comprising an arm that is configuredto couple the mounting device to the screen, and an adhesive pad that isconfigured to couple to the arm and configured to couple the mountingdevice to the screen; rotating the arm relative to the base portion suchthat the arm protrudes away from the base portion; sliding the armrelative to the base portion such that the arm moves relative to thebase portion; positioning the mounting device along the bottomside oralong the topside of the screen; configuring the arm such that theadhesive pad lays approximately flat against a portion of the backsideof the screen; and adhering the adhesive pad to the backside of thescreen.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the arm has an overalllength and the method further comprising extending the arm such that theoverall length of the arm becomes longer.
 16. The method of claim 14,further comprising positioning the mounting device along the bottomsideor along the topside of the screen such that the base portion isoriented approximately horizontally.
 17. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising deforming a portion of the mounting device while insertingthe digital media player into the mounting device, wherein the portionthat deforms is configured to at least partially secure the digitalmedia player to the mounting device.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe portion that deforms is a frontside retention member.
 19. A methodfor coupling a digital media player to a screen with a backside, ascreenside, a bottomside, and a topside, the method comprising:obtaining a mounting device in a collapsed configuration, the mountingdevice comprising a base portion and at least two outside walls, whereinthe base portion and the at least two outside walls are configured tohold the digital media player, the mounting device further comprising anarm that is configured to couple the mounting device to the screen; anduncollapsing the mounting device by rotating the arm relative to thebase portion, sliding the arm towards a middle of the base portion, andextending the arm such that an overall length of the arm becomes longer.20. The method of claim 19, wherein the arm has an adhesive surface andthe method further comprising adjusting the arm such that the adhesivesurface is approximately flat against the backside, adhering theadhesive surface to the backside, and holding the digital media playerwith the mounting device while the mounting device is adhered to thebackside and while the digital media player is located along thebottomside or along the topside of the screen.